TEACHING  CITIZENSHIP  VIA  THE  MOVIES 
A  Survey  of  Civic  Motion  Pictures  Available 
for  Use  by  Municipalities 


By  Ina  Clement 


The  foes  of  democracy  are  two-fold  —  those  within  and  those 
without.  Because  the  first  are  more  insidious  there  is  danger  of 
neglecting  them  in  the  glamour  of  the  present  struggle.  To  win 
the  zvar  is  the  first  great  aim  of  every  American  city.  The  world 
looks  to  America  not  only  to  help  “ make  the  world  safe  for  democ¬ 
racy,”  but  to  keep  democracy  safe  for  the 'World.  The  problems 
of  Americanization,  public  health,  social  service,  child  labor,  reg¬ 
ulation  of  employment  for  women,  good  government,  safety  to  life 
and  many  others  become  doubly  vital  in  the  present  crisis.  Per¬ 
haps  the  most  successful  medium  for  awakening  public  interest  in 
questions  of  this  kind  is  the  moving  picture.  Mr.  H.  F.  Sherwood, 
one  of  the  most  enthusiastic  workers  for  “better  films,”  says: 
“Picturization  was  the  primitive  man’s  method  of  passing  on 
what  he  had  to  say.  A  motion  picture  comes  nearer  to  being  the 
universal  language  than  any  other  common  medium  of  communi¬ 
cation.  .  .  The  motion  picture  serves  to  break  down  horizontally 
and  vertically  barriers  between  peoples  and  classes...  For  the 
first  time  in  the  history  of  the  world,  a  means  of  expression  which 
furnishes  large  opportunities  for  artistic  development  has  been 
brought  to  the  door  of  the  burdened  wage-earner.”  1 

The  War  and  the  “Movie” 

National  officials  have  found  the  movie  invaluable  in  visualiz¬ 
ing  war  activities  and  necessities.  Who  can  tell  how  many  recruits 
for  Uncle  Sam  may  be  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  movie f  Who 
knows  to  what  extent  the  movie  may  be  responsible  in  helping  to 
make  “food  win  the  war”  ?  An  interesting  example  of  such  a  film 
is  “Winning  with  Wheat,”  which  was  produced  by  Kansas  Agri¬ 
cultural  College  and  the  State  Council  of  National  Defense  for 
use  in  a  quick  campaign  during  the  summer  of  1917  and  greatly 
influenced  agricultural  production.  The  film  was  shown  in  92 
busy  places  during  three  weeks,  the  total  attendance  being  23,275. 


1  “Democracy  and  the  Movies.”  Bookman,  May,  1918. 


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4  THE  NEW  YORK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

Ex-Ambassador  Gerard,  when  asked  at  a  recent  gathering  in  New 
York  City  what  the  United  States  could  do  for  Russia,  answered 
“Show  them  moving  pictures  representing  conditions  among  the 
working  classes  in  a  republic.” 

The  fact  that  recently  the  Government  has  decreed  that  20% 
of  the  films  exported  to  European  countries  must  be  educational 
or  propaganda  films  is  sufficient  evidence  of  the  importance  placed 
upon  the  educational  value  of  the  motion  picture.2 


Municipalities  and  the  “Movie” 

Various  cities  have  found  the  motion  picture  of  equal  im¬ 
portance  in  enlightening  the  public  regarding  civic  matters.  Salt 
Lake  City,  in  a  film  “The  Work  of  Protecting  a  City’s  Health,” 
pictured  the  work  of  the  Health  Department,  part  of  the  proceeds 
being  devoted  to  the  Red  Cross.  Baltimore  produced  a  film  “Col¬ 
lection  and  Disposal  of  Refuse  and  Garbage  of  Baltimore.”  Other 
cities  have  used  existing  films  on  many  subjects.  Dallas,  Texas,, 
has  recently  shown  an  interesting  collection  of  such  motion  pic¬ 
tures  in  connection  with  its  Child  Welfare  Exhibit. 

Opinions  differ  as  to  the  advisability  of  direct  participation 
by  municipalities  in  the  presentation  of  motion  pictures  and  in 
some  cases  the  theaters  themselves  have  strongly  opposed  such 
competition.  The  New  York  City  Department  of  Health  con¬ 
siders  the  plan  of  cooperating  with  the  regular  theaters  and  having 
the  films  presented  as  part  of  the  theater  programs  more  success¬ 
ful  than  the  free  open  air  performances.  The  summer  evenings 
make  it  possible,  however,  to  use  the  movie  as  a  recreation  feature 
in  the  public  parks,  thus  not  only  giving  people  something  worth 
while  to  see  but  keeping  them  out  in  the  open.  Such  open  air 
performances  have  been  successfully  conducted  in  New  York, 
Boston,  and  St.  Louis. 


Survey  of  the  Field 

The  Municipal  Reference  Library  has  recently  been  making 
a  study  of  this  subject,  in  the  course  of  which  all  of  the  important 
manufacturers  of  educational  films  in  and  around  New  York  City, 
as  well  as  the  various  organizations  interested  in  the  betterment 
of  the  quality  of  the  motion  picture,  were  interviewed.  More  than 
a  hundred  letters  were  written  to  manufacturers,  city  officials,  and 
private  corporations  owning  special  films.  Although  a  widespread 

2  A  list  of  patriotic  pictures  has  been  compiled  by  the  National  Board  of  Review  of  Motion 
Pictures. 


TEACHING  CITIZENSHIP  VIA  THE  MOVIES 


5 


interest  in  the  subject  of  civic  motion  pictures  was  found  to  exist 
and  a  number  of  previous  studies  had  been  made,  no  one  person 
or  organization,  apparently,  has  endeavored  to  publish  a  com¬ 
prehensive  list  of  civic  films,  with  information  as  to  their  cost 
and  availability.  That  there  is  great  need  for  such  information 
is  evidenced  by  the  large  number  of  inquiries  received  by  civic 
and  educational  institutions,  both  public  and  private,  throughout 
the  country. 

An  examination  of  the  data  collected  shows  that  the  films 
may  be  divided  into  four  general  classes:  those  produced  by  com¬ 
mercial  manufacturers,  those  produced  by  commercial  manu¬ 
facturers  in  cooperation  with  some  association  for  propaganda 
purposes,  those  made  for  city  officials,  and,  finally,  those  made 
by  corporations  for  advertising  purposes.  This  last  class  includes 
some  of  the  most  valuable  films  produced.  Many  of  these  indus¬ 
trial  films  are  of  too  technical  and  scientific  a  nature  to  be  included 
in  this  list  and  yet  are  excellent  for  instruction.  They  have  also 
been  used  in  vocational  guidance  courses  and  are  serving  as  an 
aid  to  those  interested  in  the  rehabilitation  of  handicapped  soldiers 
and  sailors  in  showing  special  processes  for  which  these  men  can 
be  trained. 

Probably  the  most  popular  film  is  the  story  with  a  civic  mes¬ 
sage  or  information  interwoven  with  the  plot.  Good  examples 
of  this  type  of  film  are  “The  Locked  Door”  (Fire  Prevention), 
“For  the  Commonwealth”  (Prison  Reform),  and  “The  Rule  of 
Reason”  (Safety  first).  Such  a  combination,  however,  is  very 
difficult  to  obtain,  especially  in  connection  with  such  subjects  as 
road  building,  water  supply,  municipal  government.  Some  of  the 
films,  therefore,  are  largely  descriptive,  as,  for  example,  “Filtering 
a  Water  Supply”  or  “The  Production  of  Antitoxin.” 

As  to  subject  matter,  the  following  classification  of  films 
examined  is  significant: 


Health  and  sanitation  (includ-  Police  -  -  -  -  -  6 

ing  milk  supply  and  tubercu-  Americanization  4 

losis)  -  -  -  -  -  28  Education  -----  4 

Safety  -----  12  Gardening  -  -  -  -  3 

Social  service  -  -  -  -  8  Crime  and  criminals  -  -  -  3 

Fire  protection  and  preven-  .  Public  utilities  -  -  -  3 

tion  -  -  -  -  -  7  Public  works  -  -  -  -2 

Roads  and  pavements  -  -  7  Municipal  government  -  -  1 

Recreation  -  -  -  -  7  Commerce  -  -  -  -  1 

Child  welfare  -  -  -  7  Miscellaneous  15 


The  greatest  number  of  films  were  found  for  subjects  which 
have  been  given  the  widest  publicity.  The  last  ten  years  have  seen 
wonderful  progress  along  the  line  of  health  education,  especially 


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THE  NEW  YORK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


the  prevention  of  tuberculosis.  “Safety  first”  has  within  the  last 
five  years  become  a  familiar  term  to  all.  Until  quite  recently  the 
question  of  Americanization  has  received  scant  attention.  The 
obligations  of  citizenship  are  presented  forcibly  through  the  me¬ 
dium  of  the  motion  picture.  In  states  where  women  have  become 
newly  enfranchised  citizens  the  screen  is  becoming  a  power  in 
awakening  them  to  a  sense  of  responsibility.  Films  showing  the 
organization  and  work  of  city  departments  have  sometimes  been 
used  to  this  end.  Finally  the  fact  that  the  fire  losses  of  the  United 
States  and  Canada  during  1917  aggregated  $267,273,300,  shows 
that  too  much  stress  cannot  be  placed  upon  the  subjects  of  fire 
prevention  and  fire  protection. 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  rental  of  the  films  varies  from  $2.00 
to  $35.00,  depending  upon  the  original  cost  of  production,  the 
length  of  time  they  have  been  issued,  and  the  demand  for  them. 
Practically  all  rental  costs  are  in  addition  to  the  transportation 
charges.  Many  of  them  are  available  simply  for  the  transporta¬ 
tion  charges  and  a  guarantee  that  the  film  will  be  returned  in  good 
condition.  In  some  cases  a  request  is  made  that  no  admission  be 
charged  when  pictures  are  shown.  There  are  so  few  copies  of 
these  films  that  arrangements  for  their  use  should  be  made  at 
least  a  month  in  advance.  While  every  effort  has  been  made  to 
secure  accurate  information  concerning  cost  of  rental  and  availa¬ 
bility,  conditions  change  so  rapidly  in  the  motion  picture  industry 
that  such  data  are  intended  as  a  guide  to  those  interested  rather 
than  an  absolute  check  list.  When  ordering  from  a  large  manu¬ 
facturer  it  is  wise  to  consult  your  local  exhibitor  regarding  the 
nearest  exchange. 

Much  valuable  material  has  been  found  in  the  news  reels 
of  various  film  corporations,  as  the  “Pathe  News,”  Gaumont 
“Graphics,”  and  “Life  Reels,”  or  the  Universal’s  “Film  Magazine.” 
Each  of  these  films,  usually  1,000  feet  in  length,  contains  a  collec¬ 
tion  of  from  six  to  twelve  subjects,  each  of  which  may  be  from 
100  feet  to  500  feet  long.  Such  films,  after  a  few  months’  time, 
are  either  destroyed  or  simply  the  negatives  are  kept.  This  means 
that  they  cannot  be  rented  and  can  only  be  reprinted  at  consider¬ 
able  expense.  Yet  they  include  such  subjects  as  “Americanization 
Day  Celebrated,”  “A  Square  Deal  for  Baby,”  “Keeping  the  Big 
City  Clean,”  “Hetch-Hetchy  Project,”  “Rose  Festival,  Portland, 
Oregon,”  “Making  School  Safe,”  “Children  Dancing  Around 
Maypoles,”  “Children  Gather  and  Preserve  Vegetables,”  etc. 
Could  some  plan  of  co-operation  between  manufacturers  and  city 
officials  be  worked  out  under  which  these  sections  of  films  could 
be  preserved,  it  would  be  an  advantage  to  those  interested  in 


TEACHING  CITIZENSHIP  VIA  THE  MOVIES 


7 


civic  education.  Some  of  the  subjects  in  the  Universal’s  “Film 
Magazine”  have  been  included  in  the  following  list,  when  they 
included  other  subjects  of  more  than  temporary  interest. 

H  Ill*''  ,  '  \ 

Need  for  a  Film  Library 

One  of  the  striking  developments  of  this  study,  which  was  not 
anticipated  in  the  beginning,  has  been  the  continuous  plea  for  a 
public  film  library. 

“There  is  more  need  for  a  public  library  of  films  than  there 
ever  was  for  a  public  library  of  books,  and  for  the  following  reason: 
the  book  is  an  individual  property;  it  can  be  read  in  solitude;  the 
individual  can  purchase  it  if  he  wants  it.  But  the  motion  picture 
is  essentially  a  collective  commodity.  The  individual  can  have  a 
desired  motion  picture  only  on  condition  that  a  large  number  of 
other  people  want  the  same  picture  at  the  same  time.  This  fact 
makes  it  peculiarly  out  of  question  to  leave  motion  pictures  to 
the  exploitation  of  unlimited  commercialism.  .  .  The  public  film 
library,  dealing  with  a  sufficiently  large  number  of  schools, 
churches,  and  other  agencies,  would  be  able  to  draw  on  the  world’s 
supply  for  whatever  film  it  wanted,  and  to  ransack  the  film  output 
of  the  past  ten  years.”  3 

Such  a  library  could  secure  copies  of  interesting  sections  of 
films  and  keep  them  to  rent  or  lend  to  public  officials  or  organiza¬ 
tions.  A  similar  library  for  historical  purposes  was  established  by 
Edgar  R.  Harlan,  curator  of  the  State  Historical  Department 
of  Iowa.  Films  were  stored  away  for  historical  reference,  but  in 
case  a  subject  became  of  general  interest  again,  the  film  was  taken 
out  and  circulated. 

In  the  absence  of  a  public  film  library  numerous  institutions, 
as  indicated  above,  are  receiving  letters  asking  for  information 
about  civic  films.  For  the  purposes  of  this  study  the  Municipal 
Reference  Library  has  collected  considerable  data  of  this  kind 
which  it  will  gladly  share  with  city  officials,  civic  organizations 
and  municipal  reference  libraries  in  other  cities.  On  the  other 
hand  the  Library  would  greatly  appreciate  the  cooperation  of 
such  officials  in  notifying  it  of  all  new  ventures  in  the  civic  motion 
picture  field,  in  order  that  its  files  of  information  may  be  kept 
up  to  date. 


3  In  “Motion  pictures  a  problem  to  be  cooperatively  solved,”  Social  Centers  Committee 
of  the  People’s  Institute.  Other  references  on  this  subject  are:  “Teaching  by  the  Movies,” 
by  Gregory  Mason,  Outlook,  Aug.  22,  1914;  “Educational  future  of  the  moving  picture,”  by 
H.  W.  Lanier,  Review  of  Reviews,  Dec.,  1914;  “A  film  library,”  by  John  Collier,  The  Survey, 
March  4,  1916. 


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THE  NEW  YORK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


Agencies  Interested  in  the  Educational  Film 

The  National  Board  of  Review  of  Motion  Pictures  is  an 
organization  of  volunteer  workers  with  main  offices  at  70  Fifth 
Avenue,  New  York  City.  It  is  in  no  way  interested  in  the  finan¬ 
cial  side  of  the  industry.  Among  its  many  activities  the  Board 
acts  as  a  clearing  house  in  referring  citizens  throughout  the 
country  to  the  sources  from  which  films  of  all  classes  can  be 
secured.  Emphasis  is  placed  upon  the  creation  of  a  better  type 
of  film  rather  than  upon  censorship  of  the  films  produced.  Special 
lists  on  various  subjects  are  prepared  and  selected  lists  of  pictures 
are  sent  to  periodicals,  libraries,  community  centers  and  churches. 
“A  Garden  of  Motion  Pictures”  is  a  selected  list  published  quar¬ 
terly.  The  Board  also  cooperates  with  departments  of  the  Gov¬ 
ernment  in  solving  problems  in  connection  with  motion  pictures 
and  the  war. 

The  Bureau  of  Commercial  Economics,  900  Southern  Build¬ 
ing,  Washington,  D.  C.,  cooperates  with  schools  and  public  offi¬ 
cials  throughout  the  country.  “The  Bureau  is  an  association  of 
the  governments,  institutions,  manufacturers,  producers,  trans¬ 
portation  lines  and  individuals  of  the  United  States  and  foreign 
countries,  to  engage  in  disseminating  geographical,  commercial, 
industrial,  vocational  welfare  and  public  health  information  by 
the  graphic  method  of  motography”.  .  .  The  requirements  are: 
payment  of  transportation  charges,  use  of  standard  motion  picture 
projectors  by  competent  operators,  reports  of  films  used  and 
attendance  after  each  performance,  immediate  return  of  films 
used,  no  admission  fee  to  be  charged. 

The  Exhibitors  Booking  Agency,  220  West  42nd  Street, 
New  York  City,  was  organized  over  ten  years  ago  by  Mrs.  Kath¬ 
erine  F.  Carter  who  was  formerly  actively  engaged  in  educa¬ 
tional  work  and  is  very  enthusiastic  over  the  motion  picture  as 
a  means  of  instruction.  This  agency  produces  some  pictures, 
supplies  films  made  by  other  manufacturers,  writes  scenarios  and 
selects  programs  if  desired. 

The  Community  Motion  Picture  Bureau,  46  West  24th  Street, 
New  York  City,  is  composed  of  a  group  of  specialists  who  not 
only  rent  films  but  undertake  to  select  programs  suitable  for 
various  occasions  or  groups  of  people.  Social  welfare  problems 
receive  a  large  share  of  their  attention,  though  at  present  their 
time  is  largely  devoted  to  war  work. 

The  Department  of  Surveys  and  Exhibits  of  the  Russell 
Sage  Foundation  has  collected  data  concerning  films  of  a  civic 
nature  and  has  advised  inquirers  from  all  over  the  country  as  to 


TEACHING  CITIZENSHIP  VIA  THE  MOVIES 


9 


types  and  sources  of  motion  picture  films  suitable  for  special 
campaigns. 

The  Industrial  Department  of  The  International  Committee 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  has  considerable  material  on  the  educational 
and  industrial  film. 

The  Moving  Picture  World,  516  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York 
City,  has  for  some  time  published  a  “List  of  Educational  and 
Selected  Films”  compiled  by  Miss  Margaret  McDonald. 

In  some  states  the  Extension  Department  of  the  State  Uni¬ 
versity  or  Agricultural  College  is  glad  to  cooperate  with  the  cities 
of  the  state.  This  is  true  in  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Massachusetts, 
California,  Kansas,  Oregon,  and  probably  in  other  states  that  have 
not  replied  to  the  request  for  information  on  this  subject.  Okla¬ 
homa  is  planning  such  cooperation  in  the  future.  Mr.  E.  G.  Rout- 
zahn,  associate  director  of  the  Department  of  Surveys  and  Ex¬ 
hibits,  Russell  Sage  Foundation,  thinks  this  method  one  of  the 
most  feasible  plans  for  furthering  such  activities  in  smaller  com¬ 
munities.  Other  state  departments  also  frequently  have  films 
to  be  circulated  within  the  state. 

Subject  List  of  Civic  Motion  Pictures 

The  following  list  contains  all  civic  motion  pictures  which 
have  been  reported  to  the  Municipal  Reference  Library  as  avail¬ 
able  at  the  present  date  for  use  by  civic  institutions  or  munici¬ 
palities.  The  list  does  not  pretend  to  absolute  completeness,  nor 
is  it  on  the  other  hand  to  be  considered  in  any  sense  as  a  selected 
list.  The  Library  has  endeavored  to  include  every  film  which 
could  be  classed  as  civic,  but  it  is  sometimes  difficult  to  decide 
upon  the  line  of  demarcation.  In  each  case  the  title  of  the  film 
is  given  first,  the  source  from  which  it  can  be  obtained  second, 
and  cost  of  rental  third.  Addresses  of  firms  have  been  given  in 
the  first  entry  only. 

AMERICANIZATION 


An  asterisk  (*)  after  title  indicates  films  in  preparation,  probably 
to  be  released  during  the  present  summer  (1918) 


An  American  in  the  leaking.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Association 
of  Manufacturers,  30  Church  Street,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  transporta¬ 
tion  charges  only.  i 

This  is  the  story  of  a  Hungarian  peasant,  who  came  to  this  country  and  joined  his  brother 
at  the  U.  S.  Steel  Company’s  plant  in  Gary,  Indiana.  The  technical  training  and  welfare  work 
offered  by  the  company  gave  him  every  opportunity  to  advance. 

Foundation  of  Citizenship.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics,  900  Southern  Building,  Washington,  D.  C.  Cost  of  rental:  transpor¬ 
tation  charges  only. 


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THE  NEW  YORK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


Teaching  English  to  Foreigners.  Obtainable  from  the  International  Com¬ 
mittee  of  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association,  Industrial  Department,  347  Madi¬ 
son  Avenue,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

The  Immigrant  —  to  be  released,  probably  not  before  Sept.  1,  1918,  by  the 
Division  of  Films,  Committee  on  Public  Information,  Washington,  D.  C.  Cost 
of  rental:  no  information  received. 


CHILD  WELFARE 

Better  Babies.  Obtainable  from  the  Bray  Studios  23  East  26th  Street, 
New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $5.00  per  reel. 

The  Error  of  Omission.  Obtainable  from  the  Beseler  Educational  Film 
Co.,  71  West  23rd  Street,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  performance. 

Tommy  Lawton  is  born  into  the  world,  and  his  father,  one  of  the  common  type  of  careless 
parents,  in  the  flurry  resulting  from  having  a  young  bull  pup  sent  him  from  a  friend,  neglects 
to  register  Tommy’s  birth  certificate.  Tommy  grows  up  and  encounters  numerous  difficulties 
because  of  his  birth  never  having  been  registered.  Finally  he  almost  loses  a  fortune  until  he 
happens  to  discover  his  father’s  old  dog-registration  paper,  on  the  back  of  which  is  carelessly 
written  “Also  became  the  father  of  a  fine,  bouncing  boy  on  this  date.” 

Public  and  Private  Care  of  Infants.  Obtainable  from  the  Beseler  Educa¬ 
tional  Film  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  performance. 

This  film  deals  with  the  problem  of  the  mother  who  has  to  neglect  her  child  in  order 
to  make  a  living.  The  mother  in  this  picture  has  twins.  She  boards  one  with  a  foster  mother, 
but  the  other  she  is  obliged  to  send  to  an  institution.  One  lives,  the  other  does  not. 

The  Eternal  Mother.  Obtainable  from  the  Metro  Pictures  Corporation, 
1476  Broadway,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $10.00  per  presentation. 

A  thrilling  child  labor  drama,  in  which  the  wife  of  the  wealthy  mill  owner  is  for  a  time 
separated  frqm  her  husband,  because  of  his  treatment  of  the  children  in  the  mill.  A  reconciliation 
finally  comes  and  he  tells  of  the  model  schoolhouses  and  improvements  that  he  has  made  for 
her  sake. 

The  Price  of  Silence.  Obtainable  from  the  Fox  Film  Corporation,  130 
West  46th  Street,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 

A  thrilling,  romantic,  child  labor  drama  involving  a  prominent  senator  who  has  always 
fought  for  the  cause.  To  save  the  name  of  a  dead  friend  and  keep  his  daughter’s  heart  from 
breaking,  he  votes  against  the  child  labor  bill. 

At  the  Threshold  of  Life.  Obtainable  from  the  Beseler  Educational  Film 
Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  performance. 

There  are  two  young  people  of  wealth  and  social  position,  the  girl  with  an  unselfish  love 
for  the  unhelped  little  ones  of  the  city,  and  the  young  man  intent  upon  his  own  enjoyment  of 
life  in  his  own  circle.  There  are  scenes  showing  her  work  and  its  effect  upon  the  little  ones 
and  also  the  contrasting  lives  of  the  children  who  have  no  kindergarten  and  who  must  play  in  a 
crowded  tenement  room  or  street.  One  little  lame  child  is  unable  to  get  into  the  kindergarten 
and  meets  with  an  accident  in  the  street.  The  young  man  makes  good  by  presenting  the  con¬ 
valescent  child  with  a  check  for  the  kindergarten. 

Uncle  Crusty.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Kindergarten  Association, 
8  West  40th  Street,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Edward  Van  Nest,  a  crabbed  bachelor,  has  a  brother  William  who  is  a  widower  with  one 
child,  Willie,  about  four  years  old.  Willie’s  father  lives  in  Antwerp.  At  the  beginning  of  the 
war  he  decides  to  send  Willie  to  America  to  his  “Uncle  Crusty”  as  Edward  has  become  known. 
Willie’s  love  fails  to  win  his  Uncle,  but  the  child  meets  a  kindergarten  teacher  who  takes  him 
to  school  and  Willie  is  happy.  Crusty  locates  him  in  the  kindergarten  and  soon  is  writing  out 
checks  for  the  kindergarten. 


COMMERCE 

The  Commerce  of  Chicago.  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.,  71 
West  23rd  Street,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  approximately  $2.00  per 
performance  and  transportation  charges. 

Lake  front  from  the  municipal  pier.  —  Chicago  River.  Entrance  from  the  Lake.  —  Sailing 
and  steam  vessels.  —  Types  of  drawbridges.  —  State  Street.  —  Transportation  building.  —  Michigan 
Avenue.  —  Panoramic  view  of  the  stockyards. 


TEACHING  CITIZENSHIP  VIA  THE  MOVIES 


11 


CRIME  AND  CRIMINALS 

For  the  Commonwealth.  Obtainable  from  the  Beseler  Educational  Film 
Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  performance. 

A  young  man,  unskilled  and  out  of  work,  deserts  his  family,  assaults  an  officer  and  is 
sent  to  prison.  His  wife  makes  shirts  to  support  herself  and  her  child.  The  men  in  prison  are 
taught  shirt-making.  Because  prison  labor  is  cheap  the  young  man’s  wife  is  put  out  of  business 
along  with  many  other  girl  shirt  makers.  A  protest  is  sent  in  to  the  Governor,  who  solves  the 
problem  by  teaching  the  men  shoe-making  and  using  the  products  entirely  for  the  state.  The 
young  man  leaves  prison  a  skilled  laborer  and  there  is  a  reunion  of  the  family. 

The  Public  Defender.  Obtainable  from  the  Modern  Feature  Photo  Plays, 
Inc.,  729  Seventh  Avenue,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  approximately  $35.00 
per  day. 

This  film  advocates  that  in  addition  to  public  prosecutors  there  should  be  public  defenders. 
It  is  a  five  part  drama  in  which  a  “public  defender  bill”  becomes  a  law  and  the  new  official 
saves  an  innocent  man  from  the  electric  chair. 

The  Honor  System.  Obtainable  from  Fox  Film  Corporation.  Cost  of 
rental:  (?) 

The  scene  is  laid  in  Arizona  and  describes  old  and  new  methods  of  prison  regulation. 
The  descriptions  of  the  old  methods  seem  to  be  somewhat  overdrawn. 


EDUCATION 

Fitting  the  Boy  to  the  Job.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

The  Man  He  Might  Have  Been.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Associa¬ 
tion  of  Manufacturers.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

The  film  tells  the  story  of  a  boy  with  ambition  for  knowledge.  In  spite  of  protests  of  the 
school  principal,  who  offers  him  an  opening  by  which  he  can  work  in  the  day  and  attend  school 
at  night,  the  father  forces  him  into  the  most  ordinary  drudgery.  He  becomes  discouraged,  goes 
the  wrong  way,  and  finally  marries  most  unhappily. 

New  York  City.  Civic  Administration  rPart-?].  Obtainable  from  the 
Beseler  Educational  Film  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  performance. 

Unique  exercises  in  East  Side  schools,  May  Day  and  Arbor  Day  festivals  in  Central  Park. 

How  New  York  Does  It:  Department  of  Education.  Obtainable  from  the 
General  Film  Co.,  25  West  44th  Street,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 


FIRE  PROTECTION  AND  PREVENTION 

A  Crime  of  Carelessness.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Association  of 
Manufacturers.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

The  owner  of  a  large  woolen  mill  is  careless  about  fire  exits  being  kept  clear.  The 
inspector  fails  to  report  it.  An  employee  breaks  the  rule  prohibiting  smoking  and  carelessly 
throws  his  lighted  cigarette  into  a  pile  of  rubbish.  The  mill  burns  and  a  panic  follows.  The 
factory  is  rebuilt.  Tom  is  reinstated  and  both  employer  and  employee  have  learned  a  lesson. 

Fire  Department,  Manila.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Fireproofing  Children.  Obtainable  from  the  Educational  Films  Corpora¬ 
tion  of  America,  729  Seventh  Avenue,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $3.00  per 
reel  per  day  (105B). 

Much  loss  of  life  among  school  children  is  due  to  playing  with  fire  in  various  forms.  The 
film  shows  how  children’s  clothes  may  very  easily  and  economically  be  made  fireproof  by  a 
solution  easily  purchased  at  any  drug  store. 

Mayors  Organize  to  Prevent  Great  Fire  Losses.  (Univ.  Current  Events 
44.)  Obtainable  from  the  Universal  Film  Corporation,  1600  Broadway,  New 
York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $3.00  per  day. 

Carelessness  and  lack  of  prevention  methods  are  largely  blamed  for  more  than  $200,000,000 


12 


THE  NEW  YORK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


property  loss  in  the  U.  S.  during  1917.  Mayor  Hylan,  of  New  York,  a  leader  in  the  movement, 
advocating  proper  means  of  prevention.  —  Night  watchmen  should  be  equipped  for  all  emergencies. 
—  An  example  of  carelessness.  — -  Slight  pressure  will  sometimes  cause  oily  waste  to  smolder.  — 
If  the  watchman  is  prepared,  disaster  is  prevented.  —  “An  ounce  of  prevention”  might  have 
avoided  this. 

How  New  York  Does  It.  Fire  Department.  Obtainable  from  the  General 
Film  Company.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 

New  York  City.  Civic  Administration:  Part  3.  Obtainable  from  the  Bese- 

ler  Educational  Film  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  performance. 

The  fire  fighters.  —  Drills.  —  The  rescue  squad  at  work.  —  Water  tower  practic^,  etc. 

New  York  City.  Civic  Administration:  Part  4.  Obtainable  from  the  Bese- 

ler  Educational  Film  Co.  Cost  of  rental  $2.00  per  performance. 

Fire  fighting.  —  The  fire  boats  in  operation.  —  A  river  front  fire. 

The  Locked  Door.  Obtainable  from  the  Underwriters’  Laboratories, 
207  E.  Ohio  Street,  Chicago,  Ill.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  fire-prevention  film. 


GARDENING 

Insect  Friends  and  Enemies.  Obtainable  from  the  Educational  Film  Cor¬ 
poration.  Cost  of  rental:  $5.00  per  day. 

Some  of  the  garden  insects  are  enemies  of  men  and  others  are  friends.  Professor  Ditmars 
strikingly  pictures  what  beautiful  creatures  are  metamorphosed  from  the  garden  pests.  Next 
some  remarkable  photography  shows  the  insect  friends  of  the  farmers  —  tiny  legions  that  prey 
upon  the  destructive  forms.  In  the  day  of  almost  universal  war  gardens,  it  is.  highly  instructive, 
as  well  as  interesting,  to  see  the  various  friendly  or  hostile  types  at  work. 

Enemies  of  the  Garden.  Obtainable  from  the  Educational  Film  Corpora¬ 
tion.  Cost  of  rental:  $5.00  per  day. 

In  very  practical  fashion  Professor  Ditmars  exhibits  different  types  of  insects  destructive 
to  garden  plants,  and  then  shows  easy  methods  of  dealing  with  them.  Last  of  all  the  toad, 
prize  fly-catcher  of  them  all,  is  snapshotted  as  he  snaps  with  lightning  rapidity  at  a  worm  in 
his  path. 

Weeds,  What  they  are,  and  How  to  Get  Rid  of  Them.*  Obtainable  from 
Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  approximately  $2.50  per  performance. 


HEALTH  PROBLEMS 

Baby  Hygiene.*  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.  Cost  of  rental: 
approximately  $2.50. 

Posture.*  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  approxi¬ 
mately  $2.50. 

Defects  in  posture  that  ruin  physical  and  mental  health.  Their  remedies. 

Protecting  the  Eyesight.*  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.  Cost 
of  rental:  approximately  $2.50. 

First  Aid.*  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.  Cost  of  rental: 
approximately  $2.50. 

The  Sun  Cure.  Obtainable  from  Bray  Studios,  23  West  26th  Street,  New 
York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.50. 

How  a  city  brings  sunlight  to  the  poor. 

X-Ray  on  Teeth.  Obtainable  from  Bray  Studios.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.50. 

Small  Pox  Vaccine,  Diphtheria  Antitoxin,  Typhoid  Vaccine,  Etc.  Obtain¬ 
able  from  the  H.  K.  Mulford  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Cost  of  rental:  transporta¬ 
tion  charges  only. 

See  also  Milk  Supply,  Sanitation,  Tuberculosis. 


TEACHING  CITIZENSHIP  VIA  THE  MOVIES 


13 


MILK  SUPPLY 

The  Trump  Card.  Obtainable  from  the  New  York  State  Department  of 
Health,  Albany,  N.  Y.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only.  (Not  loaned 
in  New  York  City.) 

Designed  to  show  the  danger  of  milk-borne  disease. 

Sanitary  Manufacture  of  Condensed  Milk.  Obtainable  from  Borden’s 
Condensed  Milk  Co.,  108  Hudson  Street,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  trans¬ 
portation  charges  only. 

Sanitary  Manufacture  of  Evaporated  Milk.  Obtainable  from  Borden’s 
Condensed  Milk  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Sanitary  Methods  in  the  Dairy.  Obtainable  from  Borden’s  Condensed  Milk 
Co.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

The  Man  Who  Learned.  Obtainable  from  the  Educational  Films  Corpora¬ 
tion  of  America.  Cost  of  rental:  $3.00  per  reel  per  day. 

Milk  picture  depicting  unsanitary  and  sanitary  conditions  of  farming. 

Pure  Milk  Production.*  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.  Cost  of 
rental:  approximately  $2.50. 

Dangers  of  Unclean  Milk.*  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.  Cost 
of  rental  approximately  $2.50. 


MUNICIPAL  GOVERNMENT 

The  Upheaval.  Obtainable  from  the  Metro  Pictures  Corporation.  Cost  of 
rental:  $10.00  per  performance. 

On  Jim  Gordon,  a  serious  young  college  man,  falls  the  mantle  of  his  father  who  has  been 
the  leader  of  a  corrupt  political  ring.  The  son  determines  to  be  true  to  the  ideals  of  his  dead 
mother,  but  everything  he  does  is  misunderstood  and  he  is  accused  of  graft.  Finally  he  buys 
the  new  traction  company  and  gives  it  to  the  city  in  honor  of  his  dead  mother  and  to  atone 
for  the  wrongs  his  father  did  the  community. 

Note:  Other  films  on  this  subject  have  been  noted  under  specific  headings.  See  Fire 
Protection,  Education,  Police,  and  Sanitation. 


POLICE 

The  World’s  Greatest  Police  Training  School.  Obtainable  from  Bray 
Studios,  23  West  26th  Street,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.50. 

New  York  City.  Civic  Administration:  Part  1.  Obtainable  from  the  Bese- 
ler  Educational  Film  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  performance. 

Annual  police  parade,  8,000  members  passing  on  review.  —  Street  Cleaning  Department.  — 
Glimpse  of  Riker’s  and  Barren  Islands,  where  the  city’s  refuse  is  disposed  of. 

New  York  City.  Civic  Administration:  Part  2.  Obtainable  from  the  Bese- 
ler  Educational  Film  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  performance. 

First  is  seen  a  member  of  the  Traffic  Squad  at  23d  Street  and  Broadway,  then  the  mounted 
police.  —  Finally  the  Harbor  Police  and  the  police  dogs. 

Ready  for  Anything  from  Air  Raids  to  Riots.  Obtainable  from  the  Uni¬ 
versal  Film  Corporation.  (Univ.  Animated  Weekly  24.)  Cost  of  rental:  $3.00 
per  day. 

With  equipment  like  that  of  an  army  division,  the  police  of  the  metropolis  pass  through 
lanes  of  cheering  thousands  in  annual  parade.  —  Mayor  Hylan,  the  first  Mayor  of  New  York 
to  lead  a  police  parade.  —  The  machine  gun  squad.  —  The  terror  of  the  speed  machine.  —  The 
Aviation  Battalion  is  ready  to  defend  New  York  in  the  air.  —  “City  Mothers”:  the  Women 
Police  Reserves.  —  Decorating  the  police  heroes. 


14 


THE  NEW  YORK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


How  New  York  Does  It:  Police  Department.  Obtainable  from  the  Gen¬ 
eral  Film  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 

Keeping  Our  “Cops”  in  Trim.  (Univ.  Screen  Mag.  58.)  Obtainable  from 
the  Universal  Film  Manufacturing  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $3.00. 

“A  crook  ain’t  got  a  fair  chance  in  New  York  now,”  wailed  a  pickpocket  the  other  day. 
The  “cop”  who  grabbed  him  was  a  physical  superman.  —  Dumb-bells  and  punching  bag  helped 
to  develop  him.  —  Ways  of  knocking  out  a  belligerent  lawbreaker.  —  Watch  these  holds.  —  Unless 
a  crook  is  an  athletic  marvel  he  hasn’t  a  chance.  —  Trip  a  “gink”  if  you  can  get  a  chance.  —  The 
boys  must  learn  how  to  make  themselves  useful  at  a  fire.  —  Inspection  before  the  day’s  work 
begins. 


PUBLIC  UTILITIES 

Speeding  the  Spoken  Word.  Obtainable  from  the  American  Telephone 
and  Telegraph  Co.,  195  Broadway,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  transporta¬ 
tion  charges  only. 

Filtering  a  Water  Supply.  Obtainable  from  the  Lincoln  &  Parker  Film 
Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  reel  per  day. 

The  Ohio  River,  Cincinnati’s  water  supply.  —  Sample  of  unfiltered  Ohio  River  water.  — 
Pumping  station.  —  Upper  reservoir  of  unfiltered  water  from  the  river,  showing  mud  deposits 
on  reservoir  banks.  —  General  view  of  filtration  plant.  —  Turbines  which  furnish  light  and  power 
for  filtration  plant.  —  Filter-house  and  basins.  —  Bottles  of  sand  and  gravel,  showing  grades  used 
in  filtering.  —  Cleaning  the  filter.  —  Mixing  chemicals  with  water  to  collect  the  suspended  dirt. 
Aeration;  lost  oxygen  is  replaced  by  a  water-fall.  —  Filtered  water.  —  Notice  absence  of  dirt  on 
reservoir  walls.  —  Chemist  testing  filtered  water.  —  Specimen  bottles  of  water  containing:  1, 
raw  river  water;  2,  settled  water  from  settling  basin;  3,  treated  water  after  chemicals  have  been 
introduced;  4,  pure  filtered  water. 

The  Landloper.  Obtainable  from  the  Metro  Pictures  Corporation,  1476 
Broadway,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $10.00  per  exhibition. 

A  romance  in  which  the  hero  succeeds  in  defeating  the  political  boss  in  his  purpose  to 
renew  the  water  supply  franchise.  He  gains  for  the  town  a  clean  water  supply  instead  of  typhoid. 


PUBLIC  WORKS 

The  Keokuk’s  Dam.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial  Eco¬ 
nomics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Bridging  the  Stream.  Film  showing  bridge  construction.  Obtainable  from 
the  Bureau  of  Commercial  Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges 
only. 


RECREATION 

Camp  Fire  Girls.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial  Economics. 
Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

At  Home  in  the  Water.  Obtainable  from  the  Beseler  Educational  Film  Co. 
Cost  of  rental:  $2.00  per  performance. 

A  demonstration  by  one  of  the  world’s  greatest  exponents  of  swimming,  M.  G.  H.  Corsan. 
Also  some  of  the  feats  of  two  of  his  most  advanced  pupils. 

Life  Saving  and  Swimming.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Recreation  Activities  in  Pittsburgh.  Obtainable  from  the  Superintendent, 
Bureau  of  Recreation,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges 
only. 

Opening  of  Playgrounds.  Obtainable  from  New  York  City,  Park  Depart¬ 
ment,  Bureau  of  Recreation.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 


TEACHING  CITIZENSHIP  VIA  THE  MOVIES 


15 


Things  You  Should  Know  —  Swimming.  Obtainable  from  Bray  Studios. 
Cost  of  rental:  $2.50. 

How  a  submarine  dives  and  rises.  Practical  lessons  in  swimming  demonstrated  by  George 
Corsan. 

Pageant  of  Manhattan  and  May  Day  Exercises  (Central  Park),  New  York 
City.  Obtainable  from  New  York  City,  Park  Department,  Bureau  of  Recrea¬ 
tion.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 


ROADS  AND  PAVEMENTS 

Wayne  County,  Mich.,  Roads.  (2  reels.)  Obtainable  from  the  Portland 
Cement  Association,  111  West  Washington  Street,  Chicago,  Ill.  Cost  of  rental: 
transportation  charges  only. 

Camp  Dodge,  Iowa,  Roads.  (2  reels.)  Obtainable  from  the  Portland 
Cement  Association.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Easton-Allentown,  Pa.,  Roads.  Obtainable  from  the  Portland  Cement 
Association.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Mason  City,  Clear  Lake,  Iowa.  Obtainable  from  the  Portland  Cement 
Association.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Digging  and  Refining  of  Asphalt  from  the  Native  Lakes  in  Trinidad  and 
Venezuela.  Obtainable  from  the  Barber  Asphalt  Paving  Co.,  Land  Title  Build¬ 
ing,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Construction  of  Pavements  in  which  Asphalt  is  Used:  (1)  Mixing  Method 
(2)  Penetration  Method.  Obtainable  from  the  Barber  Asphalt  Paving  Co. 
Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges. 

From  Log  to  Lumber.  Produced  for  the  Southern  Pine  Association. 
Obtainable  from  the  International  Committee  of  Young  Men’s  Christian  Asso¬ 
ciations,  Industrial  Department.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Includes  description  of  wood  block  pavement. 


SAFETY 

The  High  Cost  of  Hurry.  Obtainable  from  the  Exhibitors’  Booking 
Agency,  220  West  42d  Street,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $10.00  per 
performance,  or  $50.00  per  week. 

This  is  a  safety-first  film  dealing  with  street  accidents,  etc.  (Made  for  the  New  Jersey 
Public  Service  Corporation,  Newark,  N.  J.) 

An  Unbeliever  Convinced.  Obtainable  from  the  Underwriters’  Labora¬ 
tories.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

The  picture  is  a  comprehensive,  convincing  sermon  on  fire  protection.  The  hazard  of 
poor  housekeeping  is  portrayed;  the  crime  of  depending  on  a  single  wooden  stairway  as  the 
only  means  of  egress  from  upper  floors  is  illustrated;  the  danger  of  smoking  in  an  industrial 
plant  is  emphasized;  the  probable  consequences  of  hanging  work-room  doors  to  open  inward  are 
pictured;  the  importance  of  cooperation  with  institutions,  organizations,  and  officials  engaged 
in  safety  work  is  shown  in  ways  that  are  impressive  and  convincing. 

The  Workman’s  Lesson.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Association  of 
Manufacturers.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  young  Italian  secures  a  position  through  the  influence  of  Wenzel.  He  is  interested 
in  the  safety  device  that  covers  the  chuck,  but  Wenzel  views  it  with  contempt.  The  young  man, 
Bokko,  influenced  by  Wenzel,  leaves  the  safety  device  open  and  an  accident  follows.  Upon 
Bokko’s  return  from  the  hospital,  Wenzel  sees  his  empty  sleeve  hanging  and  breaks  down.  The 
arm  proves  to  be  almost  well.  There  is  a  romance  running  through  the  story  between  Bokko  and 
Wenzel’s  daughter. 


16 


THE  NEW  YORK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


Safety  First.  Obtainable  from  the  Universal  Film  Company  (Screen 
Mag.  no.  43).  Cost  of  rental:  about  $2.00  per  evening. 

Secretary  of  State,  Francis  Hugo,  head  of  the  world’s  largest  motor  vehicle  bureau.  View¬ 
ing  Fifth  Avenue’s  never-ending  procession  of  cars.  There  are  75,000  chauffeurs  in  New  York, 
sixty  per  cent  of  whom  are  foreigners.  In  order  to  secure  a  license  in  New  York  State,  a  driver 
must  pass  a  road  test  and  a  written  examination.  Some  of  New  York’s  large  department  stores 
employ  a  small  army  of  drivers.  _  They  are  given  a  “Safety  First”  talk  each  week.  Many  women 
are  qualifying  as  professional  drivers,  with  a  view  to  serving  their  country  as  ambulance  drivers. 
They  take  the  road  test.  The  result  of  taking  a  corner  at  reckless  speed.  The  greatest  menace 
of  the  automobile  public  is  the  driver  who  boozes.  Isn’t  it  better  to  stop,  look  and  listen  than 
to  be  the  victim  of  a  deplorable  accident? 

Careless  America.  Obtainable  from  the  Universal  Film  Manufacturing 
Co.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  national  safety  first  warning,  thrillingly  presented  in  motion  pictures,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Secretaries  of  State  and  the  Police  Departments  of  America.  A  spectacular  film  which, 
by  its  teachings,  will  help  every  citizen  to  do  his  patriotic  duty  and  conserve  human  life,  which 
at  the  present  moment  is  America’s  most  vital  asset. 

Dangers  from  Explosives.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

The  Making  of  a  Convert.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Safety  Council, 
Continental  and  Commercial  Bank  Building,  Chicago,  Ill.,  through  members  of 
the  Council.  Cost  of  rental:  $1.25  per  day. 

“A  motorman,  prejudiced  against  the  principles  of  Safety-first,  refuses  to  obey  any  of  the 
precautions  of  the  company.  Finally  he  attends  several  safety  meetings  and  becomes  a  convert 
and  booster  for  the  cause.” 

The  House  that  Jack  Built.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Safety  Council, 
Chicago,  Ill.,  through  members  of  the  Council.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 

“This  film  teaches  a  strong  lesson  in  carefulness  to  railroad  men.  There  is  nothing  that 
appeals  to  the  average  man  or  woman  so  strongly  as  do  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  an  ideal 
home.  This  is  the  basis  upon  which  this  photoplay  is  written.  It  tells  a  story,  full  of  absorbing 
human  interest  and  incidentally  depicts  in  a  most  effective  and  realistic  manner  many  unsafe 
practices  that  are  daily  followed  by  railroad  men.  It  points  out  in  a  manner  more  lasting  than 
written  or  verbal  admonitions  the  far-reaching  and  unhappy  results  of  carelessness.” 

Steve  Hill’s  Awakening.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Safety  Council, 
Chicago,  Ill.,  through  members  of  the  Council.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 

“Joe  worked  in  a  factory  near  a  railroad  and  his  home  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  tracks. 
He  didn’t  believe  in  safety  —  laughed  at  it  —  and  never  looked  both  ways  before  taking  a  short-cut 
across  the  lines.  He  did  it  once  too  often.  They  couldn’t  save  his  life  at  the  hospital  and  the 
shock  was  too  much  for  the  wife  —  she  lost  her  reason.” 

The  Rule  of  Reason.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Safety  Council, 
Chicago,  Ill.,  through  members  of  the  Council.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 

“This  picture  is  full  of  thrills  and  pathos  and  drives  home  a  powerful  safety  lesson.  It 
is  applicable  not  only  on  railroads  but  in  every  industry  where  hazard  exists.  Bob  Tracy,  a 
young  man  employed  as  a  yard  brakeman,  is,  because  of  unsafe  habits,  a  thorn  in  the  side  of 
his  brother-in-law,  the  superintendent.  Hoping  to  inculcate  safety  ideas  in  the  young  brakeman’s 
mind,  Foster  puts  him  on  the  safety  committee.  Bob  is  in  the  habit  of  drinking  on  the  sly.  He 
does  not  get  drunk  and  his  fellow  employes  are  not  aware  of  his  habit.  In  a  dramatic  scene, 
Bob’s  sister  endeavors  to  make  him  see  that  men  engaged  in  hazardous  employment  should  main¬ 
tain  habits  that  will  insure  a  perfectly  normal  physical  and  mental  condition  at  all  times,  which 
to  her  mind  is  a  ‘rule  of  reason.’  The  influence  of  a  little  four-year-old  girl  adds  to  Bob’s  concern, 
and  his  conscience  finally  revolts  against  his  shortcomings.  Neglecting  to  close  a  switch  after  he 
has  let  a  train  in  on  a  yard  track,  and  falling  asleep  because  of  his  improper  indulgence,  he  dreams 
that  a  frightful  yard  collision  occurs  through  his  neglect.  Awakening  from  his  dream  with  a 
start  and  stricken  with  fear  and  horror,  Bob  stumbles  forward  and  throws  the  switch  to  proper 
position,  and  then  to  his  great  relief  finds  the  train  still  safe  and  that  no  accident  in  reality 
happened.  He  has  had  his  lesson.  A  love  story  is  intertwined  and  in  the  end  Bob’s  fiancee 
shows  her  approval  of  Bob’s  reformation.  This  is  a  splendid  safety  picture.” 

The  Outlaw.  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Film  Company.  Cost 
of  rental:  (?) 

The  plot  is  of  unusual  interest.  Carelessness  is  personified  as  Satan,  and  its  various 
forms  as  Imps.  The  tricks  of  the  evil  one  and  his  malicious  imps  are  vividly  portrayed.  An 
interesting  basis  is  laid  for  showing  effective  safety  measures  —  the  means  of  overcoming  the 
devil  of  carelessness. 


TEACHING  CITIZENSHIP  VIA  THE  MOVIES 


17 


SANITATION 

The  Mosquito.  Obtainable  from  the  Exhibitors  Booking  Agency.  Cost 
of  rental:  $3.00  per  day. 

Fly  Pest  Film.  Obtainable  from  the  American  Civic  Association,  Wash¬ 
ington,  D.  C.  Cost  of  rental:  $5.00  a  showing;  $15.00  a  week. 

The  House  Fly.  Obtainable  from  Exhibitors  Booking  Agency.  Cost  of 
rental:  $5.00  per  day;  by  the  week  about  $3.00  a  day. 

This  reel  contains  the  complete  life  history  of  the  house  fly  (Musca  domestica).  A  marvelous 
microscopic  motion  picture.  It  is  scientifically  accurate,  yet  written  in  simple  language.  The 
last  part  of  the  reel  deals  with  the  manner  in  which  the  germs  of  disease  are  carried  by  the  fly. 

How  New  York  Does  It.  Department  of  Street  Cleaning.  Obtainable 
from  the  General  Film  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 

Keeping  a  Great  City  Clean.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  School  for  White  Wings.  Obtainable  from  Bray  Studios.  Cost  of 
rental:  $2.50. 

How  a  great  city  instructs  its  street  cleaners. 

City  Waste  Disposal.*  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.  Cost  of 
rental:  approximately  $2.50. 

Sewage  Disposal.*  Obtainable  from  Lincoln  &  Parker  Co.  Cost  of  rental: 
approximately  $2.50. 

Saving  Money  for  the  Taxpayer.  Keeping  the  City  Clean  and  Conserving 
Every  Ounce  of  Waste  Means  Money  in  Your  Pocket.  N.  Y.  City  has  a  Model 
System  of  Disposing  of  Garbage.  (Univ.  Screen  Mag.  52.)  Obtainable  from 
the  Universal  Film  Manufacturing  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 

At  dock,  giant  derrick  dumps  boxes,  paper  and  bottles  on  one  barge,  ashes  on  another. 

—  Formerly  cost  $232,000  yearly  to  dispose  of  garbage;  now  reducing  company  pays  $180,000  for 
the  privilege.  —  City  receives  $725  a  week  from  junk-men  for  sorting  this  material.  —  Bales  of 
old  rags  and  paper  for  the  paper  mills.  —  Bottles  and  bones  are  big  revenue  bringers.  —  Valuable 
garbage  goes  to  reducing  plant  at  Barren  Island;  ashes  go  to  Riker’s  Island  to  make  “new  land.” 

—  The  scoop  does  the  work  of  20  men  and  saves  thousands  of  dollars  to  the  overburdened  tax¬ 
payer. —  Tug  pulling  barge  of  valuable  garbage  to  grease  and  fertilizer  plant.  —  Ashes  and 
other  useless  material  are  dumped  at  sea.  —  At  reducing  plant,  oils  and  fats  are  extracted  from 
vegetable  matter  and  go  to  make  finest  grades  of  perfume,  soap,  pomade,  and  the  glycerine  in 
high  explosive  shells. 


SOCIAL  SERVICE 

A  Field  for  Philanthropy.  Obtainable  through  Alma  G.  Traugott,  Chicago 
Lying-in  Hospital  and  Dispensary,  426  East  Fifty-first  Street,  Chicago,  Ill. 
Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Shows  various  phases  of  the  work  in  congested  districts  for  the  welfare  of  expectant 
mothers  and  care  of  the  newborn  infants. 

Cleveland:  Welfare  Work  of  the  Various  Organizations.  Obtainable  from 
the  Welfare  Federation  of  Cleveland,  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Cost  of  rental:  trans¬ 
portation  charges  only. 

A  Corner  in  Cotton.  Obtainable  from  the  Metro  Pictures  Corporation. 
Cost  of  rental:  $10.00  per  exhibition. 

The  daughter  of  a  wealthy  broker  becomes  interested  in  welfare  work  among  the  poor 
in  New  York.  She  is  given  by  her  father  as  a  birthday  gift  $50,000  worth  of  stock  in  Consolidated 
Cotton.  Later  she  becomes  interested  in  the  conditions  in  the  mills  and  determines  to  go  down 
and  investigate.  She  also  becomes  interested  in  the  son  of  the  mill  owner  and  they  decide  that 
there  are  more  important  things  in  the  world  than  cotton. 


18 


THE  NEW  YORK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


Jewish  Charities.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial  Economics. 
Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

The  Other  Half.  Obtainable  from  the  New  York  Association  for  Improv¬ 
ing  the  Condition  of  the  Poor,  105  East  22d  Street,  N.  Y.  City.  Cost  of  rental: 
transportation  charges  only. 

Charity  Floating  Hospital.  (Univ.  Screen  Mag.  no.  3.)  Obtainable  from 
the  Universal  Film  Manufacturing  Co.  Cost  of  rental:  $3.00. 

Tenement  districts  where  children  are  in  need  of  fresh  air.  —  Examined  before  being 
allowed  to  board.  —  This  floating  hospital  has  during  last  summer  treated  and  carried  5,000 
children  without  regard  to  creed  or  color.  —  Bidding  New  York  good-bye  for  a  day’s  outing.  — 
A  ward.  —  Where  milk  is  specially  prepared.  —  Sterilizing.  —  Best  medical  treatment  to  sick 
babies.  —  After  a  bath.  — Arriving  at  Seaside  Hospital,  S.  I.,  where  the  sick  babies  and  over¬ 
worked  mothers  spend  their  two  weeks’  vacation  to  recuperate.  —  Infants’  ward.  —  Taught  to  be 
useful.  —  Starting  for  home. 

The  Visiting  Nurse.  Obtainable  from  the  Beseler  Educational  Film  Co. 
Cost  of  rental:  $2.00. 

A  romance  showing  the  various  activities  of  a  visiting  nurse  in  a  large  city. 

In  His  Father’s  Footsteps.  Obtainable  from  the  New  York  State  Depart¬ 
ment  of  Health.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only.  (Not  loaned 
in  New  York  City.) 

Designed  to  show  the  danger  of  various  unsanitary  conditions  often  met  with  on  farms 
and  urge  the  observance  of  such  simple  precautions  as  make  for  health. 


TUBERCULOSIS 

The  Temple  of  Moloch.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Tuberculosis 
Association,  381  Fourth  Ave.,  New  York  City.  Cost  of  rental:  $.50  per  day 
per  reel. 

The  working  man  and  tuberculosis  is  the  theme  of  this  intensely  dramatic  picture;  along 
with  this  runs  the  idea  of  childhood  infection.  The  wealthy  owner  refuses  to  listen  to  suggestions 
of  sanitary  improvement  in  the  factory  and  tenements  owned  by  him.  The  young  health  officer, 
in  love  with  the  former’s  daughter,  exploits  these  conditions  through  the  press.  The  manufacturer’s 
two  children  fall  victims  of  the  disease.  The  climax  is  reached  when  the  father  learns  that  his 
children  were  infected  years  before  by  their  nurse-girl  who  was  a  daughter  of  a  former  workman. 
With  the  father’s  awakening  comes  a  determination  to  clean  up  conditions,  and  the  story  closes 
with  a  happy  Christmas  scene. 

The  Lone  Game.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Tuberculosis  Association. 
Cost  of  rental:  $.50  per  day  per  reel. 

On  the  one  hand  is  the  poor  consumptive  who  goes  West  with  only  $20  in  his  pockets, 
in  the  hope  that  he  will  be  cured  of  his  disease.  He  is  too  weak  to  work  and  cannot  secure 
admission  to  the  hospitals  there  without  money.  On  the  other  hand,  there  is  the  young  college 
student  of  football  fame,  who,  upon  contracting  tuberculosis,  leaves  for  the  West  with  every 
necessity  and  luxury  money  can  buy.  The  first  one,  after  a  fruitless  struggle  to  play  “the  lone 
game”  without  money,  dies;  the  second  is  restored  to  health.  Football,  romance,  and  Red  Cross 
Seals  are  all  blended  togetheer. 

The  Price  of  Human  Lives.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Tuberculosis 
Association.  Cost  of  rental:  $.50  per  day  per  reel. 

The  man  who,  unknown  to  his  daughter  and  friends,  manufactures  the  fake  consumption 
“cure,”  amasses  a  fortune  from  its  sale,  while  the  poor  deluded  public  refuses  to  be  convinced 
of  the  harm  being  done  them.  The  swindler’s  own  daughter  exposes  the  so-called  “cure”  and 
brings  her  father  to  a  realization  of  the  dreadful  evil  of  his  business. 

The  Great  Truth.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Tuberculosis  Associa¬ 
tion.  Cost  of  rental:  $.50  per  day  per  reel. 

That  tuberculosis  is  an  infectious  disease,  that  it  is  not  inherited,  and  that  it  can  be  cured 
and  prevented,  is  the  message  which  this  picture  carries.  It  is  especially  valuable  inasmuch  as 
it  brings  out  many  important  phases  of  the  tuberculosis  problem,  such  as  the  visiting  nurse, 
home  and  sanatorium  care,  etc.  Of  course  the  love  element  is  present. 


TEACHING  CITIZENSHIP  VIA  THE  MOVIES 


19 


Hope.  Obtainable  from  the  National  Tuberculosis  Association.  Cost  of 
rental:  $.50  per  day  per  reel. 

Why  should  the  small  country  town  enlist  in  the  fight  against  tuberculosis,  the  disease  of 
the  city’s  slums?  What’s  the  use  of  borrowing  trouble?  So  thought  young  John  Harvey,  banker, 
and  his  fellow-citizens.  How  the  town  awakened  to  the  realization  that  tuberculosis  lurks  every¬ 
where,  and  that  its  responsibility  is  prevention,  is  told  in  this  dramatic,  educational  picture,  whose 
message  is  hope  to  all  those  sufferers  who  can  be  cured,  if  their  communities  also  will  recognize 
their  duty  with  regard  to  preventive  measures  in  tuberculosis. 


MISCELLANEOUS 

A  Trip  to  the  City  of  Baltimore.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Com¬ 
mercial  Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

In  and  Around  Chicago.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  Trip  to  the  Cities  of  Cleveland  and  Toledo.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau 
of  Commercial  Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  Trip  to  the  City  of  Denver.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  Trip  to  the  City  of  Detroit.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Com¬ 
mercial  Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  Trip  to  the  City  of  Indianapolis.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of 
Commercial  Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  Trip  to  New  York  City.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  Trip  to  the  City  of  Norfolk.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Com¬ 
mercial  Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

Oklahoma  City,  Oklahoma.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

A  Trip  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Com¬ 
mercial  Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

j 

A  Trip  to  the  City  of  St.  Paul.  (The  winter  carnival.)  Obtainp.uie  from 
the  Bureau  of  Commercial  Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges 
only.  <f 

Washington  the  Beautiful.  Obtainable  from  the  Bureau  of  Commercial 
Economics.  Cost  of  rental:  transportation  charges  only. 

“How  New  York  Does  It.”  Social  Service  and  Waterways  Dept.  (One 
reel.)  Obtainable  from  the  General  Film  Company.  Cost  of  rental:  (?) 

“How  Life  Begins.”  (Four  reels.)  Obtainable  from  Exhibitors  Booking 
Agency,  220  West  42d  Street.  Cost  of  rental:  $20.00  per  day,  plus  war  tax. 

The  pictures  begin  with  the  microscopic  view  of  the  simplest  forms  of  plant  reproduction 
and  lead  up  to  the  more  complex  forms.  Simplicity  and  delicacy  characterize  it  throughout. 

San  Francisco  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Its  Activities.  Obtainable  from 
the  San  Francisco  Chamber  of  Commerce,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Cost  of  rental: 
transportation  charges  only. 


